The Lagos State government has disclosed that real estate-related grievances rank among the top five consumer complaints in the state. Speaking at a seminar organised by the Association of Estate Agents in Nigeria (AEAN), Lagos State Chapter, in collaboration with the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, said tenants often report unfair rent hikes and hidden charges, while buyers face title fraud and delays in property delivery.
She warned that the presence of untrained and unlicensed operators continues to undermine the profession. “According to Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) records, while over 1,000 practitioners have registered in Lagos, the number of unregistered operators is far higher. These quacks are responsible for many fraudulent transactions,” Odunuga-Bakare said.
Represented by the Director, Department of Lands Monitoring and Compliance, LASRERA, Temitope Akinbola, she also noted the lack of reliable data as a major obstacle. “Lagos needs at least 500,000 additional housing units yearly to meet demand, but delivery falls short at less than 20,000 units. Without accurate data on housing stock, land availability, and property transactions, both government and practitioners operate in the dark,” she said.
Odunuga-Bakare highlighted other challenges, such as limited access to housing finance and unaffordable mortgage rates, which push citizens toward informal arrangements and unregulated operators.
She added that the government is strengthening LASRERA by expanding registration, simplifying online verification of agents, creating reporting platforms for fraudulent practices, and delivering affordable housing through joint ventures with private developers.
The SA further explained that the state has introduced digital platforms to improve title registration, transaction recording, and data collection to boost investor confidence, while also running public campaigns to encourage citizens to engage registered practitioners. In addition, Lagos is promoting alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to resolve property disputes quickly and fairly, reducing reliance on lengthy court processes.
Partner at Hill City Solicitors, Ayorinde Akinboyo, stressed that Nigeria’s property law framework heavily shapes real estate practice. “The Land Use Act’s vesting of land in government has both stabilising and restrictive effects: it provides a single system of tenure nationwide but also makes government approval central to every deal,” he said.
He noted that every property transaction requires the payment of fees to the government coffers. “No one can plead poverty in this respect. The payment of these fees is part of real estate’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” he added.
While LASRERA’s licensing was designed to formalise the industry and reduce fraud, Akinboyo observed that challenges persist, including title fraud, slow dispute resolution, and high compliance costs. With around 65 per cent of civil cases in Lagos courts tied to land disputes, he called for more improvement.
He urged estate consultants to conduct thorough due diligence, verify titles, confirm approvals, and advise clients on legal risks.
“They must emphasise obtaining valid government approvals, such as consent and planning permits, before progressing. The requirement of the Governor’s consent means that even if two parties agree privately, the deal lacks finality until the state intervenes,” he said.
Also speaking, representative of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), Dr Adeniyi Tinubu, encouraged practitioners to uphold global best practices and professionalism. “Real estate is more than a transaction; it is a career built on trust, professionalism, and a vital contributor to national development,” he said.
